1,515 research outputs found

    Multi-scale synthesis of historical fire regimes along the south-central US prairie-forest border

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    dendrochronology; drought; humans; oak; prairie; woodlandBackground: Along the prairie-forest border in the south-central USA exists one of the most extensive areas of uncut forest in the nation ([greater than]323 750 hectares), providing unique potential for developing multi-century records of environmental changes through dendrochronological analyses. Twentieth century changes in vegetation, increased prescribed fire management, and recent years of elevated wildfire activity have increased interest in understanding the region's long-term fire regime characteristics. To address this need, we analyzed and compared fire intervals, seasonality, severity, and extent based on fire-scar history datasets from three new and ten existing study sites. Results: At the study sites, mean fire intervals ranged from 3 to 10 years prior to Euro-American settlement and generally became more frequent after. The majority of fires occurred in the dormant season and resulted in low percentages of trees scarred. Coinciding with Euro-American settlement (EAS), fire frequencies appear to have varied by geography. At the regional scale, fire regimes have trended towards decreased fire severity and slightly decreased fire intervals over the past 300 years. Further, fires appear to have increased in extent from circa 1770 to the mid to late 1800s, after which it began to decline, circa 1920. Conclusions: Although frequent, descriptions of fire regimes since the eighteenth century should be characterized as time-dependent and spatially variable, likely depending on local socio-ecological influences. Similar influences may explain fire frequency increases following EAS, while fire severity trended lower. c2019, The Author(s).Includes bibliographical references

    Experiencing visual impairment in a lifetime home: an interpretative phenomenological inquiry

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    Lifetime home standards (LTHS) are a set of standards aimed at making homes more accessible. Previous research, however, indicates that LTHS do not adequately meet the needs of those with sensory impairments. Now, with visual impairment set to increase globally and acknowledging the recognised link between quality of dwelling and wellbeing, this article aims to examine the experiences of visually impaired people living in lifetime homes. The objectives are to investigate existing lifetime homes and to identify whether LTHS meet occupants’ needs. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out with six visually impaired people living in homes designed to LTHS in Northern Ireland. Collected data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis identifying three super-ordinate themes: (1) living with visual impairment; (2) design considerations and (3) coping strategies. A core theme of balance between psychological and physical needs emerged through interconnection of super-ordinate themes. Although there are benefits to living in lifetime homes, negative aspects are also apparent with occupants employing several coping strategies to overcome difficulties. Whilst residents experience negative emotions following visual impairment diagnoses, results suggest that occupants still regard their homes as key places of security and comfort in addition to then highlighting the need for greater consideration of specific individual needs within general guidelines

    Patient‐friendly pathology reports for patients with breast atypias

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    Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146318/1/tbj13061_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146318/2/tbj13061.pd

    Dissecting Clot Retraction and Platelet Aggregation: CLOT RETRACTION DOES NOT REQUIRE AN INTACT FIBRINOGEN CHAIN C TERMINUS

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    Fibrinogen mediates the processes of platelet aggregation and clot retraction. Previous studies have demonstrated that fibrinogen binding to the platelet receptor alphaIIbbeta3 requires the C-terminal residues of the fibrinogen gamma chain. We made a recombinant human fibrinogen that lacks the gamma chain C-terminal four residues (AGDV). As expected this fibrinogen did not support platelet aggregation. Unexpectedly, this variant did support clot retraction that was indistinguishable from retraction with normal recombinant or plasma fibrinogen. These results suggest that the site on fibrinogen that is required for platelet aggregation differs from the site on fibrin that is required for clot retraction

    Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis, United States and Canada, 2000–2003

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    Foxhounds infected with Leishmania spp. were found in 18 states and 2 Canadian provinces

    A High Polyphenol Diet Improves Psychological Well-Being: The Polyphenol Intervention Trial (PPhIT).

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    Mental ill health is currently one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. A growing body of data has emerged supporting the role of diet, especially polyphenols, which have anxiolytic and antidepressant-like properties. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a high polyphenol diet (HPD) compared to a low polyphenol diet (LPD) on aspects of psychological well-being in the Polyphenol Intervention Trial (PPhIT). Ninety-nine mildly hypertensive participants aged 40-65 years were enrolled in a four-week LPD washout period and then randomised to either an LPD or an HPD for eight weeks. Both at baseline and the end of intervention, participants' lifestyle and psychological well-being were assessed. The participants in the HPD group reported a decrease in depressive symptoms, as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and an improvement in physical component and mental health component scores as assessed with 36-Item Short Form Survey. No differences in anxiety, stress, self-esteem or body image perception were observed. In summary, the study findings suggest that the adoption of a polyphenol-rich diet could potentially lead to beneficial effects including a reduction in depressive symptoms and improvements in general mental health status and physical health in hypertensive participants
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